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Obstetric cholestasis

Hi ya, me again!
Anyone got any experience of this- last time I was diagnosed with it right at the end of the pregnancy. Anyone had any positive experience? I've a feeling I may well be diagnosed again

Sorry hun, was that why you went into prem labour? I was so itchy it was driving me mad, they kept taking blood tests and my levels kept rising even though I was on medication, then my kidney started playing up, had gestational diabetes and was showing signs of pre eclampsia so they said to get her out. Have you told your midwife? Xxx

I had it with both of my pregnancies. I was diagnosed at 36 weeks with DD1 and 33 weeks with DD2. DD1 was born 5 days after I was diagnosed, I didn't receive any medication for it at all that time. She had pooed and my waters broke naturally at 37 weeks.

With DD2 because I got it earlier I was given Urso (I can't remember the full name of the drug they give you but everyone calls it urso) to bring down my ALT's and bile salts and I found it takes away the itching which is amazing. I was still having bloods done weekly, monitoring whenever I wanted it or was worried and seeing a consultant for it. I was induced at 38 weeks, DD2 hadn't pooed and to my surprise finding out earlier made it a lot easier.

Are you itching now?

With DD2 I started itching a little bit for 2/3 days so I wasn't sure I'd got it at first and I was having my ALT's tested every 2 weeks and my last results were perfect so it came as a real shock to find out my ALT's were through the roof along with my bile salts that quick.

Thanks so much ladies not sure what caused prem last time but it was identical twins and I had everything a bit like you kat but there was never any conclusive answers. Will phone consultant tOday and get checked- had test at 15 weeks and it was all clear. Will keep you posted and thanks for he links xx

Hi ya Polly, got an appointment for scan and check tomorrow so going to discuss it then...I'm guessing they'll do a blood test and see what that shows up (hopefully nothing!) thanks for thinking of me. Will fill you in tomorrow xx

So scan went well and all is fine with the baby. The consultant said that it is highly probable I will get oc again and they have done my bloods- will know by friday. Just hope it's gradual rather than extreme but we will see. She said it has been linked to problems later but they are scanning me in four weeks and will have regular bloods too. Thanks all xxx p.s he's a blue one xx

Can they not get your bloods back quicker? When I was having mine done they'd get me the results the same day and phoned me if there was a problem.

There are risks associated with OC but those all but disappear when you are monitored, treated for OC and induced by about 38 weeks. The most important thing I was told was to keep a note of my babies movements, if I hadn't felt many kicks I got to the day unit as soon as I could to be checked out on a monitor for 20-30 minutes to make sure our girls heartbeats were as they should.

This website is great for information about OC, OC Support**not a FZ endorsed link**

Think that is fairly quick tbh at our hospital (when it was really bad last time it took a week! This time I am pushing everything as quick as) and it's not like last time so if it is it's only just starting. They are keeping a very close eye on me (most of the staff know me by name now!!) but I will hear tomorrow (or hopefully not!) I wish it had been same day but tbh if I hadn't had it last time then I wouldn't know anything at all was up as it's minor and may just be normal itching- they did test me at 16 weeks too and that was clear.
All a bit of a stress hey - will check out that website - thanks and will keep ya posted xx

I'm shocked it takes so long to get your results back. Is it a small hospital?

The quickest I had my results back was about 5 hours after it was taken. I used to go to the day unit to get mine done and could phone for the results after about 8pm the same day. Earlier on in my pregnancy with DD2 I had them done through my GP and got them back the next day.

That is quick! Guess they didn't rush in...I bet they could get them back quicker if necessary! No it's a big city hospital!
Anyway haven't had a phonecall so I assume that is good news for now- back to hospital on wed so will double check then and maybe get another blood test done. Good news for now xx

You really need to have words with your consultant about your blood tests, he/she needs to get your results back quicker than 3-7 days. OC can come on very quickly and levels can rise more than you think during that amount of time. Also the level of your discomfort isn't an indicator of how bad your OC is and how high your levels are, I thought it would be and that the condition would start gradually like it did when I had DD1, it didn't turn out that way at all.

So the good news is that the results are perfect. I did get upset though as when I phoned she said 'someone would have called you if there was a problem and don't phone again for blood test results and etc etc' so I started to cry and told her last time noone called and look where that got me!! She did help eventually but only after I was really upset (very unlike me!)
I also asked her about stabbing pains that I've had today in my ovary area like wind and she said that was normal. Guess I'm just panicking over every little thing
So all ok in the end. Thank goodness and no oc for now xx

I'm sorry the lady at the end of the phone was so rude and made you cry. She was out of line speaking to you that way.

If you are worried about the pains you are getting can you see your MW or phone her? My MW always said that if I was worried phone or come into one of the clinics, that goes for all of her ladies, she'd much rather me ask a question or come in for a chat and listen to LO's HB than stay at home worrying day and night.